T
r
ai
l
s& Rai
l
sPr
ogr
am
Nat
i
onalPar
kSer
vi
c
e
U.
S.Depar
t
mentoft
heI
nt
er
i
or
J
uni
orRanger
Adi
r
ondac
k
Ane
xpl
o
r
er
’
sac
t
i
v
i
t
ygui
d
eo
n
bo
ar
dAmt
r
ak
2
Becoming a Junior Ranger
Welcome aboard the Adirondack®! You are about to embark on the journey of becoming a
Junior Ranger.
As a Junior Ranger, your mission is to:
Explore—You will see a lot of exciting and important landmarks
during your trip. Be on the lookout for opportunities to explore!
Learn—Find out how much you can learn during your trip by
completing this activity booklet; but your journey does not end here!
Along with Amtrak® trains, the Junior Ranger Program is offered in
many national parks across the United States.
Protect—Did you know that riding on a train is better for the Earth
than driving in a car? One of the jobs of a National Park Ranger is to
protect the land and animals in our country. By riding on this train and
learning about the land and wildlife, you too are helping protect our
environment and country.
What’s next?
Find and circle your age group. The number of activities you should complete to become a
Junior Ranger will be next to your age group, but you’re welcome to try them all!
Age
Number of Activities
6 and Under
3-5
7-12
6-8
13 and Older
9-11
Meet Casey the Engineer Bear
SM
3
Hey there! My name is Casey and I’m an Amtrak
train engineer. I travel all across the country driving
trains to take people where they need to go. Along
the way, I teach people about the cool places they
travel through. That’s because I also help with the
Trails & Rails program, which provides educational
opportunities for passengers on board trains. I have
learned a lot about the country and would love to
share some of what I know with you. Today, I’m here
to teach you about the route traveled by your train,
the Adirondack.
The Adirondack is a train route that travels
daily between the cities of New York City,
New York in the U.S. and Montreal, Quebec
in Canada. The route is 381 miles long and
usually takes about 11 hours to complete. It
only goes through one state, New York, but
it is one of the few train routes that goes into
another country! It also passes by and
through many cool cities and national parks,
like Albany, New York and Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Site.
The Adirondack is named after the beautiful
Adirondack mountains, and there is quite a
bit of amazing mountain scenery to enjoy.
The route also passes many historical sites,
because New York was very important in
many of the early colonial wars.
This is a map of the Adirondack route that we are going to travel today. This booklet has a lot
of fun activities that will teach you about this route and the amazing things you can find along
the way. Are you ready to learn about the Adirondack?
Let’s Get Started!
I-Spy Activity
4
The Adirondack is a long route that goes through many different ecosystems. An ecosystem is
made up of all the living (animals and plants) and nonliving (soil, air, water, etc.) things in an
area. Mountains, lakes, forests, and rivers are just a few of the cool ecosystems you will see on
this train route. As a result, you have the chance to see many unique animals and plants if you
watch carefully as you travel.
In this I-Spy activity, try and see how many of the items you can spot. You can cross them out
once you’ve seen them. Some of the items will be easier to find than others and some may only
be found once along the route. See if you can find them all. Play with a friend to see who can
spot the most!
Big River
Mountain
Bear
Cow
Eagle
Boat
Elm Tree
Fox
Raccoon
Lake
Pine Tree
U.S. Border
Conductor
Rain Cloud
Deer
Creek
5
New York City Fun Facts
New York is the start or end of this route, depending on where
you are going, and it is the biggest city in the U.S. There are
lots of cool facts about New York, as you can see below!
Complete these fun facts by unscrambling the words below
them. If you have trouble, use the pictures to help you.
Fun Fact #1
One of New York’s most famous landmarks
is a gift from the French and can be seen in
New York harbor. It is the statue of _____ .
B T LYR I E
Fun Fact #3
Another important attraction is ____ square.
This intersection is a symbol of New York
and is called “The Crossroads of the World.”
MSTEI
Fun Fact #5
Many people like to celebrate New Year’s
Eve in New York City. At exactly midnight,
a giant ____ drops to celebrate a new year.
LALB
Fun Fact #2
The city of New York has many nicknames.
One of these nicknames is the Big __ .
P E PAL
Fun Fact #4
New York City is very, very big and is split
into five boroughs. They are: Brooklyn, the
Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and _____.
EQNESU
Fun Fact # 6
____ Park, which is the biggest park in New
York, is the most visited city park in the U.S.
TE LR NAC
Sailing Down the Hudson River
6
The Hudson River is a 315 mile river that flows down the eastern side of New York. Starting in
the Adirondack Mountains, it flows past many cities, including the state capital of Albany,
before emptying into the bay in New York City. The Hudson River is incredibly important
because it provides a way for boats and ships to travel to the Great Lakes. Although the Hudson does not flow directly into the Great Lakes, a series of canals were built in the mid-1800’s
to connect the river and the lakes. The river and the series of canals connected to it allow boats
to go from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes without travelling into Canada. As a result,
many different boats of all shapes and sizes travel up and down the Hudson everyday.
Complete the crossword below using the word bank to help you. Once you are finished, use the
highlighted letters to unlock the secret word!
A Trip up the River
Across
2. This flat bottomed boat brings heavy goods up rivers and canals.
4. This boat brings people across rivers and small lakes.
5. A boat with a pointed bow that pushes other boats; creating a tug.
7. This structure blocks a river from flowing naturally.
9. This boat is powered by steam.
Down
1. People can walk or drive on this structure across a river.
3. This boat is made to travel up rivers.
5. A boat with a squared-off bow that is also used for pushing other
boats; its name is similar to a popular vehicle that tows cars.
6. This structure lets you travel underneath a river.
8. A waterway built to connect two other bodies of water.
Word Bank
Barge
Steamboat
Riverboat
Tugboat
Towboat
Ferry
Bridge
Tunnel
Canal
Dam
Secret Word:
P
For answer, see page 14!
Hint: This person is
in charge of the ship.
7
Braving West Point
Established in 1802, West Point is the oldest Military Academy in the United States. During
the Revolutionary War George Washington decided the plateau, where the Academy still lies,
was a crucial spot during the war. The British were never able to capture the fortress and it has
continued to be an American military post to this day.
Imagine you were a first year cadet at West Point; the four year road ahead of you is going to
be tough! Beginning as a plebe, find your way through the maze; although there are many
paths, choose wisely because there is only one way to graduation.
Fun Fact: Cadets in each year have nicknames!
First year/ freshman
Second year/ sophomores
Third year/ juniors
Fourth year/ seniors
plebes
yearlings
cows
firsties
Start as a plebe...
Graduation
Students who attend this Academy, called “cadets”, earn a degree and learn many leadership
skills needed to become an Officer in the United States Army. Cadets spend four years at the
Academy and are challenged mentally and physically each day!
Like any other college, cadets at this Academy participate in sports and many other activities.
You can learn more about West Point by visiting and touring the Academy!
Revolutionary War — Battle of Saratoga
8
The Battle of Saratoga was one of the most important battles in our nation’s history. During the
American Revolutionary War, both sides looked for allies to assist them. The Hessians quickly
joined the British side. France and Spain secretly gave the Americans money, but they did not
ally with them. Although they did not like the British, they did not think America could win the
war. However, in September and October in 1777, the Americans and the British fought in the
Battle of Saratoga. The Americans won the battle and captured an entire British Army. The
French were impressed, and decided to ally with the Americans. French aid was very important
to America, and without their help the Americans may not have won.
During war, army messages were often sent in code to keep the message secret if the messenger was captured by the enemy. Crack the code to read a message the Americans may have
sent to General Washington after the battle was over. Hint: Look closely at the examples given.
There is a pattern you will need to figure out to find more letters!
Answer:
Code:
U I F
X F
Z A B C
A B C D
0 1 2
1 2 3
C S J U J T I
I B W F
X P O
S A R A T O G A
T B S B U P H B
!
T V S S F O E F S F E
U I F
C B U U M F
!
For answer, see page 14!
Pretend you were at the Battle of Saratoga. Write a letter back to your parents telling them
about how you felt after the battle. Include any emotions you may have felt after the victory.
Hiking the Adirondack Mountains
10
9
Imagine you are going on a hike in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Think hard about
what you should bring for the day. Help Casey circle the items that you need to pack in your
backpack.
Going on a hike is fun and challenging but it can also be dangerous if you do not
prepare well for your trip. To have a safe hike, everyone should pack extra healthy
food, water, clothing, and rain gear. Packing a rain jacket and extra socks is always helpful.
Another important thing to remember is to practice Leave No Trace. This means
that you leave the area you hike the way it was when you got there, free of any
trash or damage. It also means that if you see trash that is not yours, you should
still pick it up. The Adirondack Mountains are beautiful with unique animals and plants. Practicing Leave No Trace fulfills your duty as a Junior Ranger to protect the environment and the
animals that live in the area, so that kids in the future can come hike here too!
What are some other items you think would be useful to pack for a hike? Write them down!
10
Fort Ticonderoga
Captors of the Fort
To the right are some
of the nations, armies,
and people who have
captured Fort Ticonderoga in the past. To
complete this word
search, see if you can
find them all in the
word bank below.
Word Bank
Americans
Benedict Arnold
British
French
Green Mountain Boys
James Abercromby
Jeffrey Amherst
John Brown
John Burgoyne
X
D
Q
O
P
G
B
U
F
D
T
E
S
F
S
C
C
B
L
Q
H
K
R
T
C
I
A
S
R
Z
U
N
J
L
O
O
V
M
M
E
C
Q
O
X
R
H
W
Z
A
S
Y
H
N
V
X
R
E
U
U
E
O
E
P
E
F
C
E
B
T
R
Y
A
K
N
Y
Z
N
I
H
Z
F
Y
I
T
M
H
A
W
W
P
M
A
Q
Y
K
M
U
A
S
R
H
O
Y
T
H
N
A
O
K
Z
O
Q
A
X
L
M
E
A
R
C
C
C
W
X
U
H
Q
G
A
Y
J
I
Q
M
N
C
T
I
N
O
Y
N
P
A
R
L
R
I
X
U
A
A
R
M
D
E
R
D
T
I
U
U
K
E
P
U
G
B
L
E
J
E
R
B
P
A
I
A
B
E
F
Z
H
P
G
L
B
A
N
F
N
K
I
L
H
N
E
F
L
S
D
W
E
A
A
E
Z
H
V
N
G
O
H
H
E
R
I
R
K
N
S
B
B
U
O
H
B
N
H
O
D
J
W
T
E
A
M
E
J
A
R
J
F
O
A
L
J
U
X
B
I
C
X
G
M
L
S
E
Y
S
Y
Q
I
S
G
D
Z
R
E
G
M
A
I
K
Y
D
H
S
B
L
P
V
X
J
B
X
E
T
J
Fort Ticonderoga, formerly known as Fort Carillon, was built in 1755 by the French military.
The fort was built to protect and control a narrow piece of Lake Champlain where the La
Chute River enters it. This river is important because it connects Lake George and Lake
Champlain, allowing people to travel all the way from Canada to New York City by boat. The
fort was a very important military advantage to anyone who held it, so for 30 years it was captured, recaptured, and captured again by many different people, armies, and nations. It was
first used during the French and Indian War, where the French won important battles there before it was captured by the British in 1759. The fort again saw battles during the American
Revolutionary War, when the Americans captured it, lost it back to the British, and failed to
capture it once more before it was finally turned over to the Americans at the end of the war.
11
6
An Afternoon on the Lake
Lake Champlain is a beautiful lake located in New York and also partially in Canada. Many
people go to the lake every year to have fun, relax, and hang out with friends and family.
Complete the following story with a friend or family member. Without showing your partner
the story, ask them to provide the type of word listed below each blank. Once you have filled
all the blanks, read the story out loud to your partner for a laugh!
and I decided to
One day, my friend
across
Name
Verb
, named
Lake Champlain. We took our pet
Animal
packed
, and
Name
for lunch just in case we got hungry. When we
Food
got to the lake, we took out our
and put them in the water. The lake was
Noun
but we were not
very
Adjective
. The day was
Adjective
. We knew we could do it.
of
Noun
and we had plenty
Adjective
hours after we set off across the lake,
Number
scary
Number
came out of nowhere and attacked us! They threw a
Animal
lot of
at us and we almost drowned. We were scared,
Noun
but our pet came to the rescue. In a
voice, he asked, “Why
Adjective
are you so angry?” They replied, “Because you stole our
.” But we had not
Noun
stolen their
and we told them so. They believed us and became very
Same Noun
with them for a while. When it was almost dark, they
friendly, so we
Verb
gave us quite a few
and
Noun
us as we went home. What a fun day!
to take with
Noun
12
A French Montreal
Montreal is the biggest city in the province of Quebec and the second biggest city in Canada. It
was established in 1611 by Samuel de Champlain for the country of France. This was during
the time that Canada was still a French colony. Most of the people of Montreal speak French,
and it is the second biggest French speaking city in the world after Paris, France. France and
the French language have had a huge influence on this city and its development. Much of the
culture, architecture, and entertainment of the city is very French in style.
Depending on where you are coming from, you might spend part of your trip in Montreal. Here
are a few common French phrases you can learn to help you during your stay.
English
Good morning/good day
Excuse me/sorry
My name is
No
Do you speak English?
Please
Thank you
Good-bye
Listed here are some common words in the English
language that are actually
French in origin. Can you
match up each word on the
left with its original French
meaning?
French
Bon jour
Excusez-moi
Je m'appelle
Non
Parlez-vous anglais?
S'il vous plait
Merci
Au revoir
Pronounced
bon-zhoor
ex-koo-zay mwah
juh mah-pell
nohn
par-lay voo on-glay
seel voo play
mare-see
oh ruh-vwar
Word
Definition
Blonde
Respond please
Déjà vu
Already seen
Encore
Touched; you got me
Mardi gras
Again
Matinee
Fat Tuesday
Paper mache
Memory, keepsake
Potpourri
Mashed paper
RSVP
Fair-Haired
Souvenir
Morning
Touche
Dried flowers
Map Your Own Route
13
You are the engineer now. Are you ready to drive the Adirondack and create your own adventure? Use one coin to flip and another coin to mark each player. Heads moves you one space
and tails moves you two. First to finish, wins!
START
You
lose your
ticket at the
train station.
Move back one
space.
Congrats!
You survive
a year as a plebe
at West Point.
Move ahead one
space.
Enjoy a day
sightseeing
in New York
City. Flip
again.
While
hiking the
Adirondack Mountains
you get lost. Lose
a turn.
You visit
Lake Champlain
and the historic
lighthouses.
Move ahead
two
spaces.
You fall
asleep and
miss your
train. Move
back five
spaces.
See
Notre-Dame
Basilica in
Montréal.
Move ahead
one space.
FINISH
Sharing Your Memories
14
One of the most important things to do while travelling is to keep a record of what you see and
do so that you can save those memories and share them with others. Sharing memories was
very important in the Revolutionary War too. We have learned a lot of what we know about the
hardships of the war and its battles from journals, letters, and memoirs written not only by the
officers in charge, but by ordinary soldiers fighting on the front lines.
As the last stop in your journey, think of your favorite view from the train trip. Use the box below to draw that view and save your memory forever.
Answer to secret word on page 6: “Captain”
Answer to code on page 8: “The British surrendered! We have won the battle!”
Certificate of Completion
This certifies that
has completed all activities for the
Adirondack®
Trails & Rails Award
and is hereby granted the official title of
National Park Service Junior Ranger
Junior Ranger Pledge:
“I promise to discover all I can about the special places protected by the
National Park Service and share my discoveries with others. I pledge to
enjoy and protect the plants, the animals, and the historic places of my
country.”
Junior Ranger Signature
Trail & Rails Guide
Date
What’s Next?
Congratulations on completing your Adirondack activity booklet! We
hope you enjoyed the activities, but the fun isn’t over yet!
Visit More Amtrak Routes
®
The Adirondack is not the only railroad route
with a Junior Ranger Program. Amtrak has
routes that travel all across the country. If you
ever find yourself on another Amtrak route,
ask if they have a Junior Ranger Program too!
Listed below are just a few routes that have Junior Ranger Programs: You can
visit Amtrak.com to see them all!
California Zephyr®
Silver Service®
Empire Builder®
Capitol Limited®
Maple Leaf®
City of New Orleans®
Become a Web Ranger
You can also become a Web Ranger! If
you have access to the internet and your
parents’ permission, then you can create
a Web Ranger account and start being a
Web Ranger today. You can find more
fun activities, design your own ranger
station, and connect with Junior Rangers all over the world!
Visit www.nps.gov/webrangers to get
started today!
Printed by the National Park Service.
This book and its full contents are public property and are reproducible for non-commercial, educational purposes.
Amtrak, Adirondack, Casey the Engineer Bear, California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Maple Leaf, Silver Service, Capitol Limited, and
City of New Orleans are service marks of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.